THE NAVY IN 1887.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8447, 24 July 1888, Page 3

THE NAVY IN 1887.

The year 1887 has been an important one in the history of the Royal Navy. It has seen the launching of several of the largest and most powerful war-ships afloat; it hai witnessed tho mounting on board an iron* clad of the first of the 110-ton breeobloading guns ; it has been noteworthy for the carrying out of a series of grand tactical manceuvres which are henceforth to be re* peated yearly ; and it baa further been remarkable for the holding of the Jubilee Review at Spitbead, and for the introduction into the naval service of that useful weapon, the 36-ponnder Armstrong quickfiring gun, and of the Brennan torpedo. The chief war-ships that have been launched during the year are :

These vessels add nearly 60,000 tons displacement to the navy, and their average speed is over 17 '5 knots. In addition to their heavy artillery, several of them will carry 36-pounder, and perhaps even 70pounder, quick-firing gnus, and torpedodischarging tabes, and all will be supplied with machine guns.

Ships Displacement in Tons indicated Horsepower | Speed in j Knots Coal Capacity in Tons. Armament. Type. Trafalgar 11,940 12,000 16-5 1200 4-67 t. B. 8-3 in B Turret Ram, Victoria 10,470 12,000 167 1200 J Turret Ram. Sans Panel 10,470 12,000 107 1200 2-110 1 B. j- Turret Rara. Immortality 5000 8500 18 '0 900 2-22 t. B. 10-6in. B. Belted Cruiser. Galatea 5000 8500 18-0 900 2-22 t. B. 10-6in, E. Belted Cruiser. Aurora 5000 8500 18 0 900 2-22 t, B. 10.6in. B. Belted Cruiser. Narcissus 5000 8500 18-0 900 2-22 t. B. 10-6in. B. Belted Cruiser, Grasshopper 450 3000 19'0 100 1-4 in. B. Torpedo Gun-boat, Sandfly 450 3000 19 0 100 1-4 in, B. Torpedo Gun-boat. Spider 450 3000 19-0 100 1-4 in. B. Torpedo Gun-boat. Buzzard 1080 2000 150 100 8-5 in. B. Sloop. Serpent 1630 4500 17 '0 325 6-6 in. B. Torpedo Cruiser. Racoon 1630 4500 17 '0 825 6-6 in. B. Torpedo Cruiser.